Christian Albarracin

About the Artist

Christian Albarracín is a Colombian artist born in Bogotá in 1984, known for his innovative exploration of paper as a sculptural medium. Over the course of eight years of self-directed research, Albarracín has developed a unique technique that examines the material’s intrinsic qualities—grammage, texture, and durability—transforming this seemingly fragile substance into striking three-dimensional compositions. His works, which range from 30 centimeters to over 2 meters in height, are exposed to natural elements such as water and open air, testing their resilience and endurance over time. For Albarracín, paper is far more than a support—it is an active participant in creation. He describes it as “thin, brittle, and malleable… a noble yet complex material whose own fragility becomes its greatest strength.” His process redefines the role of paper in sculpture, positioning it as both medium and metaphor—an embodiment of transformation, memory, and impermanence. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Albarracín began developing a compelling series featuring figures seen from behind, inspired by the collective experience of disconnection and concealment brought on by mask-wearing. These anonymous forms evoke the sense of isolation, distance, and introspection that defined the period—reflecting the tension between individual identity and shared vulnerability within urban life. Through meticulous craftsmanship and conceptual depth, Christian Albarracín continues to challenge traditional notions of materiality and form. His sculptures bridge the ephemeral and the enduring, inviting viewers to reconsider the delicate balance between fragility and strength that defines both his chosen medium and the human experience itself.